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Onwubuke Melvin
Telecom subscribers in Nigeria have been sending emails and direct messages to the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, calling for an investigation into what they describe as unexplained data consumption.
However, telecom operators maintain that there is no mechanism for reducing customers’ data, attributing the increased usage to factors such as the shift from 3G and 4G to 5G networks and higher video streaming habits.
This follows the Senate’s call for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to engage with operators reflects the growing concerns over the 50% hike in data and call tariffs.
Since the increase in February, many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction, with the rising cost of data becoming a significant burden.
Despite the operators’ attempts to address the issue by offering data management tips, many customers remain frustrated.
The complaints highlight a deeper issue with the operators’ billing systems, rather than individual usage habits.
Subscribers, sharing their screenshots with regulators on social media, believe that the increased costs and data consumption problems are rooted in how the service providers charge for data, rather than how customers use it.
“Data prices are too high these days. Every Nigerian should report the operators to NCC, FCCPC, and send them thousands of emails; otherwise, this price hike won’t stop,” one of the customers said.
“Not only has data become more expensive, but it also seems to deplete faster than before. This is unacceptable,” another user complained.
Nigeria’s internet consumption crossed the one million terabyte mark for the first time in January 2025, highlighting the surging demand for internet services and Nigeria’s increasing dependence on digital connectivity.
The regulator’s spokesman did not respond to any inquiries.
In July 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission instructed telecom operators to simplify their tariff plans, offer clearer billing details, and conduct independent audits to address complaints about data depletion. However, as of this report, no operator has been found in violation by the regulator.
Telecom companies argue that data quantities are standardized globally, meaning that 1GB in Nigeria is equivalent to 1GB anywhere else. The issue, they claim, lies in how users consume their data, with variations in usage patterns contributing to perceived discrepancies.
“There’s no difference in the quantity of data, whether you’re in Nigeria, the US, or Europe. What changes is how people use it. If you’re streaming a lot or downloading large files, your data will go faster. But there’s no way for us to just deplete it on our own,” another telecom insider explained.
The increasing demand for data services has become the main driver of telecom revenue, positioning telecom companies to reap substantial benefits from this growth.
